Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting on March 24, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The board considered four major applications, including a medical office building, a residential addition, a second-story addition on an undersized lot, and a new Taco Bell with drive-through. The meeting also included routine consent calendar items, announcements, and public testimony. All votes were unanimous, with one case continued.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution naming attorney: Unanimously approved Jordan Meiser Salmon Sprague and Seuser as the zoning board attorney. Roll call: all board members present voted yes.
• Minutes of December 16, 2025 and January 27, 2026: Approved unanimously by roll call.
• First resolution for adoption: Z13-2025, Lake View Renovations (denial): Approved unanimously (8 yes).
• Resolution Z34-2025, Bargov Choksky (denial): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution Z27-2025, Barat Sakaran (approval): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution Z29-2025, Baroon Batia (approval): Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case Z34-2023 (106 James St – medical office):
  • Hanan Arshah (114 Outer Wall Road) spoke in strong support of Dr. Zubair, citing his character, dedication to patients, and the need for a local physician to reduce travel.
  • Pradeep Malhotra (James & Grove) expressed support, stating the doctor would be convenient for the community.
• Case Z25-2025 (32 Parsonage Rd – Taco Bell):
  • Michael Petrulo (199 Evergreen Road) opposed the project, citing existing noise from trucks and revving engines, lack of parking on Mason Street, pedestrian safety, litter, and health concerns. He pleaded with the board not to approve.
  • Henry Albitides (27 Judson Street) raised concerns about floodgate float lights (since addressed), garbage litter, and requested garbage cans. He noted the applicant agreed to an 8.5-foot fence and noise mitigation. He was satisfied with the proposed measures.

Discussion Items

• Case Z34-2023 – Dr. Mohammed Zubair, 106 James Street:

  • Proposal: Demolish existing converted home and build a three-story medical office building (pulmonary and sleep medicine). Variances required for parking (20 spaces vs. 45 required), height (32.83 ft vs. 30 ft max), FAR (0.34 vs. 0.25 max), and front yard setback (32.2 ft vs. 35 ft).
  • Applicant’s attorney provided a detailed summary: The building design uses separate exam rooms to avoid communal waiting for contagious patients; sleep study floor operates evenings only three days a week; parking demand justified by low usage; police department found no concerns. Conditions included limiting third floor to sleep studies, lighting reduction at 10:30 p.m., security cameras, and landscaping. Board questions confirmed no change of use without returning to board.
  • Public portion opened; two speakers supported. Motion to close. Summation requested approval.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval (Mr. Dave motioned, seconded by Mr. Schneider). Conditions include those mentioned in testimony.

• Case Z27-2025 – Bikash Sharma, 36 Rainford Road:

  • Proposal: Second-story addition and side addition to an existing single-family attached duplex in PRD zone. Only variance needed: side yard width 5.125 ft vs. 15 ft required.
  • Planner John Chadwick testified that the lot’s curved configuration creates a larger separation (50 ft) between homes; the addition is consistent with neighborhood where most homes are now two-story. No FAR issue for attached homes.
  • No public comments. Motion to approve (Mr. Dave) citing a de minimis request, not detrimental. Unanimous approval.

• Case Z33-2025 – NHDP LLC, 136 Floyd Street:

  • Proposal: Second-story addition (no footprint expansion) to existing two-bedroom ranch on an 8,000 sq ft lot (zone requires 20,000 sq ft). FAR variance from 0.21 existing to 0.41 proposed. Numerous existing non-conformities.
  • Architect David Dugas and planner John DuPont testified. Board questioned whether existing sunroom conversion to bedroom was approved (unknown). Applicant initially willing to remove that bedroom, reducing FAR to 0.39; further board requests led to applicant offering to reduce FAR to 0.35 (matching nearby approvals) by reducing second-floor addition. Board requested revised floor plans.
  • Case continued to April 21, 2026, with notice that attendees will not receive a new notice.

• Case Z25-2025 – Hazabel Northeast LLC (Taco Bell), 32 Parsonage Road:

  • Proposal: Demolish existing T-Mobile and construct a new Taco Bell with drive-through (a D1 use variance since drive-throughs are not permitted stand-alone in GBH zone). Also sought C variances for side setback (14 ft vs. 15), sign setback (8.8 ft vs. 15), and landscape buffer (4-15 ft vs. 20 ft).
  • Extensive testimony from engineer Brian Ennis, traffic engineer Gary Dean, and planner Matthew Flynn. Key points: building reduced by 285 sq ft to increase buffer to residential neighbors; 15 ft buffer with 8-ft fence and dense landscaping; queuing lane holds 9 cars, can hold up to 13 on-site; traffic study found adequate gaps; lighting zero fc at residential property line; deliveries by WB40 truck twice a week off-peak; hours: restaurant 7 am–midnight, drive-through until 2 am. County approval obtained.
  • Board questions: agreed to condition on garbage pickup between 6-8 am, not blocking barrier-free entrance during deliveries, added garbage cans, sprinkler system for landscaping. Board also discussed potential cut-through traffic and queuing capacity, but traffic engineer and board members felt conditions mitigated concerns.
  • Public opposed by one resident; another with specific concerns satisfied. Summation by applicant attorney.
  • Motion to approve with conditions as discussed. Unanimous approval.

Key Outcomes

• Z34-2023 (Zubair): Approved unanimously with conditions (limit third floor to sleep studies, lighting reduction at 10:30 p.m., building-mounted light, security cameras, landscaping).
• Z27-2025 (Sharma): Approved unanimously.
• Z33-2025 (NHDP): Continued to April 21, 2026 after applicant agreed to reduce FAR to 0.35; revised plans required.
• Z25-2025 (Taco Bell): Approved unanimously with conditions: garbage pickup 6-8 a.m., no blocking barrier-free entrance during deliveries, installation of garbage cans, irrigation system for landscaping.
• Announcement: Case Z24-2025 (Vivian Pereira, 1651 Woodland Avenue) continued to April 28, 2026.